Date

Guests

200

August 17, 2013

Bucolic Prince Edward Island is home for Chastity Fizzard, a singer/songwriter, and chef Michael Smith, a Food Network host, nutritional activist and food media producer, so it was naturally the spot they chose for their picturesque summer "I dos."

"Our wedding day was magic from start to finish," Chastity says. "I spent months conceptualizing what the day would look like and buying antiques and props from all over PEI to decorate with. I had a visual plan, and everyone we knew came together to make it a reality. Every element of the day was locally sourced."

Chastity's vision was to throw a dazzling 1920s Hollywood-themed affair that still had a country feeling. "Sophistication and romance were the key words for our wedding day," she notes. "The colour palette I chose comprised pastel shades including pink, green, beige, yellow and taupe."

In keeping with her dream, it was important to Chastity that her wedding dress fit the deco theme. Her Maggie Sottero dress was pure Daisy Buchanan glamour. It was only natural that Michael would also dress to the nines, in a top hat and tails to match his bride, but it took some coaxing to get him to see it that way.

"Michael is a casual guy who lives in shorts and button-down shirts," Chastity admits. "He didn't want to wear a tux and said it's something he never, ever does. When I told him a wedding dress is something I never wear either, he couldn't argue with me."

The celebration began with a church ceremony in which their three children each played an important role. Michael's son Gabe was the ring bearer, and the couple's two daughters, Ariella and Camille, were flower girls. When little Camille, 2, started her walk down the aisle and saw her dad, she ran straight into his arms. "She turned to wave at all our guests like she was the queen of England," Chastity shares with a laugh.

Post-ceremony, the couple hosted a cocktail party where guests enjoyed croquet, pizza stations and an oyster bar. From there it was off to the reception at a local community hall which had been transformed to look like a vaudeville circus tent. Massive rolls of construction paper were used to create a draped ceiling finished with pretty scalloped edges.

Chastity Fizzard and Michael Smith, August 17, 2013, Souris, Prince Edward Island.Photography courtesy of Rachel Peters Photography.

"I was so overwhelmed when I saw everything, I started to cry," Chastity reveals. "The tables were filled with my vintage props. We had a photo booth, a lace-covered cake table, a wine cellar where guests could select their wine and an espresso trolley."

Food was a major part of the reception. Michael worked with his good friend, Charlottetown-based chef John Pritchard, to design the wedding menu. "We served dinner family style with courses coming out on silver platters," Chastity explains. "We had eight courses, and all the food was incredible."

When asked for a word to sum up their wedding day, Chastity says there's only one: perfect. "Perfection is found by letting go and enjoying the moment, which is exactly what we did."

Vendors:
Ceremony location: Bay Fortune United Church (902-969-3069)
Reception location: Fortune Community Hall (902-687-2891)
Bridal gown: Maggie Sottero from The Wedding Place
Cake: Anne Marie Peters (902-687-3351)
Caterer: John Pritchard Cuisine
Music: The Count and Cuban Cocktail (902-629-5798)
Hair and makeup: Irene Dunlop (902-620-8873)
Flowers: Daisy A Day (902-687-3328)